Recorder for traffic signal systems



April E, D.- STIRLEN 1,904,562

RECORDER FOR TRAFFIC IGNAL SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. i

INVENTOR. Eugene J) Siirleh ATTORNEY April 18, 1933. E. D. STIRLEN RECORDER FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Eugene 11 stiflen/ .BYO%W ATTORNEY latented Apr. 18, 1933 EUGENE D. STIRLEN, 01' NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T CHE SEMEN ENGINEERING & RESEARCH CORPORATION, A GORPORATI'OI T @F CQIINECTICUT ill RECORDER FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEMS Application filed August 20, 1928. Serial No. 3%,935.

This invention relates to improvements in trailic signal systems, and more particularly to apparatus for recording the presence of vehicles which may pass a signal in violation of trali'ice regulations.

Apparatus of this character is especially adapted for use at highway intersections where traiiic is automatically controlled by electrically operated signals and the primary object of this invention is to provide a recording apparatus which shall make a permanent record of the presence of any vehicle entering the street intersections when the right of way has not been given to the vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to pro vide a recording apparatus of the character designated which shall make a permanent record of the time at which any vehicle shall cause the actuation of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character designated which may he associated with the usual type of electrically operated go and sto signals operated by manual or automatlcally' controlled mechanisms.

These and other objects of the invention will hereinafter appear in the accompanying specification and drawings, and specifically set forth in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a highway intersection employing a vehicle recording system embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the recording mechanism and the electrical wiring arrangement Figure 3 is a view partially in section showing a vehicle actuated means; and

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of a recording device.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown an electrically operated signal system arranged to indicate stop and go signal li hts at a street corner or intersection. '1 e streets are indicated as north, south, east and west, and for the purpose of illustration, G and R indicate green and red lamps visible on the north and south streets, while G and R indicate green and red lamps visible on the east and west streets. These lights are connected in electrio circuits so that lights Gr and R are energized simultaneously through one circuit and lights G and R are energized simultaneously through anothercircuit.

The energization of these circuits is controlled at the proper interval by an automatically operated timer mechanism of the well-known type, constructed and arranged to energize the circuits for predetermined intervals of time and to prevent simultaneous operation of two signal lights on the same street. Associated with this timer mechanism is a recording mechanism connected in circuit so that it shall operate to malre a permanent record of impulses received during the indication of a certain signal. In the diagram shown, the recording mechanism is arranged to make a permanent record oi any impulse received from a street during the indication of the stop signal on that street. This is particularly advantageous in a. case where a vehicle enters an intersection from a street having the i stop signal, and causes an accident. In such an occurrence, the record sheet may he examined to ascertain which vehicle violated the traiiic signal.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the recording mechanism is operated by means of suitable street switches indicated by numerals 2, 3, 42, and 5, and located in the respective streets so that they may be actuated by the passage of vehicles along the street. These street devices are connected in circuit with wires 6, 7, and 8 by means of wires 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 1e, 15, and 16 respectively. The switches areall of a similar construction and a convenient form of street switch is illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein one end of a bar 17 is pivotally mounted at 18 and the other end is yieldahly supported by a spring 19. Adjacent to the movable end of the bar 17 are contacts 20 and 21 on Wires 15 and 16, for example, and arranged to close the circuit in these wires when a passing vehicle presses the bar downward.

The signal lights are periodically energized through wires 6, 7 and 8 by means 2 or l, during the time of e timer mechanism 22 of a well known construction. This timer may be manual or automatic in operation and is connected to e convenient source of power indicated as A. 0. current.

permanent record of the passage of a vehicle over street device is made by a recording mechanism indicated by numeral '3 and shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 4. This mechanism comprises a base member 24- upon which niouncerl electro-inagncts and 26 having erinarnres 2'7 anc 28 respechi'v'ely. Armature 2? is mounted in a sisnderd E29 pivot 30 and armature 28 is likewise pivoially mounted in a standard Ell by pivot 3 An adjustable stop 33 is provided to regulate the movements of the ermsture which are yielzlahiy held by of tension springs 3% and 35 respectirel' Each of the arrow-cures 2? and 28 is provided with cu 11g point 36 or 37, respectively, for piercing a record sheet 38, which is moved progressively under the cutting points.

. ":1 s, The iecoro sncet roi ieceii in; the perms 1 i recoro 1S SHOTTIR 1n a A strip which is Zen acro s 1. fable 39 provided with eoertnres an: 4-1 over which "he A "gape sses through which the cutting or T if C" which may he in me i winding roll nisni errsngerl 0 operate the rolls at a lesire s eeri in a'ccoirlance wish the time incis -i "'Uile there is she transferring Inec t a car hoard clisc L as magnets for oper 'i fors'iors 36 and 37 are lamp in gieis only he c .s are completed 1 lights. As shown, mac o is connected in enfi 46, and is thereh' 331c I circuit is closed by eiiher or erect switches er when the in 'WfilC'll power is magnet 25 the iorni of e ,ape'r supplied to wires 7 and 8. In a like manner, is connected, in series with wire 12 by lead wires 47 and 18, and is thereby energized when the circuit is closed by either of street switches 3 or 5 during the time in which power is supplied to WiILS (3 and 7.

Having thus described a preferred enihodimentof the invention, the opcrati m thereof is carried out in the following mam her. For the purpose of illustration, G, G inclicate go on the eastenrl West street and the lights R R indicate stop on the north and south street, and these lights are energized by Wires 6 and 7. A vehicle passing over the street switches 3 or 5 in the north anrl south street closes the circuit and energizes magnet thereby actuating armature 2?, eml causing a perforate rccorrl on the paper strip. The tape being thus perforated on one of the time greclustions the time at which the impulse occurred may readily he'notecl. Since the magnet can only he energized when the stop light is e" hihited on the north and south sir-set, it is evident that the vehicle causing th impulse proceeded over the street dlevice violation of the signal and may, therefore he Pic, surnecl to he at faultshoulcl an accident occur the street intersection. In a siinihir manner, when the signal lights are periodiceily reversed on intersecting street so stop signal is shown on the east mssing over the street switches 199 2; ese ssre"s.

A r coming mechanism embodying me he lnvenbion, therefore, rashes and pres an individual permanent recorm the time at which each separate vehicle causes an impulse by crossin one or t devices in violation or" signal,

Having thus described a preferrecl enihorlinient of the invention, is obvious that various changes ma} he made therein wifis out cleper"n q" from the scope of zhc invention as set forth in the claims.

lanes and at which point signalling means is provided, and which signalling means is connected to operating means so that right of way may be accorded to vehicles moving over said vehicle lanes, said apparatus 111- r at the point of intersection of two vehicles lanesand at which signalling is provided, and which signalling means is connected to operating means so that of way may be accorded to vehicles moving over said vehicle lanes, said apparatus including vehicle actuated controls in emho'f said lanes, recording means connected. to said controls, and means connecting said op erating means to said recording means whereby to cause the latter to operate response to functionings of said controls and when said operating and signalling means are in redetermined condition.

4. A signalii at the point of intersection of two vehicle lanes and at which oint signalling means is provided, and which signalling means is connected to operating means so that right of way may be accorded to vehicles moving over said vehicle lanes, said apparatus in" cluding vehicleactuated controls in each said lanes, recording means connected to said controls, and means connecting said operating means to said recording means whereby to cause the latter-to operate in response to functionings of, vehicle actuated controls of the lane in which right of way is interrupted by said signalling means.

5. A signalling apparatus to be installed at the point of intersection'of two vehicle lanes and at which point signalling means is provided, and which signalling means is connected to operating means so that right of way may be accorded toyehicles moving over said vehicle lanes, said apparatus including means functioning when said signalling means is operating in a predetermined manner to record the passage of a vehicle into the intersection, said signaling means being unaffected by the operation of said recording means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EUGENE D. STIRLEN,

ng apparatus to he installed 

